Dear Editor,

In an column entitled ‘On the matter of sovereignty’ published in the Jamaica Observer on August 14, 2025, it was articulated that Jamaica is an independent, sovereign country and an equal member of the international community, and its sovereignty and independence shall not be violated.

This is also the long-standing position of the Chinese Government. The article, however, refers to Taiwan as “a country which has had presidents since 1949”. This is an utterly wrong claim. We must give a serious exposition of relevant historical facts and reaffirm China’s resolute position.

The facts on the Taiwan question are crystal clear. Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. This statement has a sound basis in history and jurisprudence. In the late 19th century, Japan forcibly seized Taiwan through a war of aggression. For 50 years the Taiwanese people never ceased resisting Japanese occupation.

The Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation explicitly mandated that Taiwan be returned to China. These instruments, with legal effect under international law, have all affirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. An integral part of the fruits of the victory of the Second World War and the post-war international order was Taiwan’s return to China.

Resolution 2758, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1971, unequivocally recognises the People’s Republic of China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. Since then, the only reference to the Taiwan region in the UN is “Taiwan, province of China”.

Today, 183 countries, representing the overwhelming majority of UN member states, have established diplomatic ties with China based on the one-China principle as the political foundation. This reflects that the one-China principle is the global consensus and prevailing trend of our times.

China adheres to the one-China principle and firmly opposes separatist attempts for “Taiwan independence” and interference by external forces. This is not only the natural requirement for defending China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and core interests, but is also part and parcel of China’s efforts to uphold international fairness and justice, safeguard the fruits of the victory of the world anti-fascist war, and maintain the post-war order.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the restoration of Taiwan. No matter how the situation on the Taiwan island evolves or what troubles external forces may make, the historical trend toward China’s ultimate and inevitable reunification is unstoppable.

The relationship between China and Jamaica exemplifies sovereign countries’ mutually beneficial interaction on the basis of mutual respect. In its wide-ranging, profound interactions with Jamaica, China has never attached any political strings, fully respecting Jamaica’s sovereignty and independence. On the basis of equality, mutual benefit, and respect, steady progress and fruitful outcomes have been achieved in the China-Jamaica strategic partnership, delivering tangible benefits to our peoples.

Jamaica has been lending solid support to China on matters involving China’s core interests, including the Taiwan question. In 2024, when meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Dr Andrew Michael Holness and Senator Kamina Johnson Smith reaffirmed Jamaica’s strong commitment to the one-China principle. As always, China deeply appreciates that.

Both China and Jamaica made tremendous sacrifice to win independence and liberation after long-lasting ordeal. We know only too well the value of our countries’ sovereignty. No inch of our beautiful land and waters can be lost or ceded. Together, let’s close ranks to defend our sovereignty, independence, and development interests in advancing our respective development agenda. This is our abiding responsibility to our history and to our future generations.

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China